Apple tree named ‘B3F44’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  apple tree variety named ‘B3F44’, particularly characterized by very firm flesh, extreme long storability, long shelf life, striking conic shape of fruit and strong aroma after storage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malus domestica.

Variety denomination: ‘B3F44’.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(f) of the European Community Plant Variety Rights No. 2009/2503 filed Nov. 26, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Apple tree, botanically known as Malus domestica of the Rosaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘B3F44’.

The new Malus variety is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventors, Inge De Wit, Hendrik Eyssen, Johan Keulemans, Johan Nicolaï, Els Pauwels and Paul Van Laer, in Rillaar, Belgium. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Malus variety with crisp and juicy flesh, as well as good storage capacity and shelf life.

The new Malus variety originated from a cross made by the inventors in 1993 in Belgium. The female or seed parent is the Malus domestica variety designated ‘Braeburn’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Malus domestica variety designated ‘Gala’ (unpatented). The new Malus variety was discovered and selected by the inventors within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Belgium.

Asexual reproduction of the new Malus variety by grafting was first performed in Belgium, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘B3F44’ which in combination distinguish this Apple tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. very firm flesh;     -   2. extreme long storability;     -   3. long shelf life;     -   4. striking conic shape of fruit; and     -   5. strong aroma after storage.

In comparison to the parental varieties, ‘BRAEBURN’ (unpatented) and ‘GALA’ (unpatented), ‘B3F44’ differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Variety ‘BRAEBURN’ ‘GALA’ Trait ‘B3F44’ (unpatented) (unpatented) fruit shape conic oblong-globose globose-conic tree habit drooping spreading spreading fruit over color red brown-red bright red harvest time late late early storability extreme long long medium

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventor(s), the most similar in comparison to the new Malus variety ‘B3F44’ is the Malus variety ‘Braeburn’ (unpatented), in the following characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Variety New Variety ‘BRAEBURN’ Characteristic ‘B3F44’ (unpatented) fruit shape conic oblong-globose tree habit drooping spreading fruit over color red brown-red

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Malus variety ‘B3F44’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 1—shows a close-up view (side, top and bottom) of mature fruit of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 2—shows dissection views of mature fruit of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 3—shows a fruit-bearing tree of ‘B3F44’, at 7 years of age.

FIG. 4—shows a dormant tree of ‘B3F44’, at 9 years of age

FIG. 5—shows a blooming tree of ‘B3F44’, at 11 years of age.

FIG. 6—shows inflorescence of ‘133F44’.

FIG. 7—shows top and bottom view of leaves of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 8—shows different stages of development of the flowers and the bottom, side and top view of a fully expanded flower of ‘B3F44’.

FIG. 9—shows different parts of a flower of ‘133F44’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Malus variety ‘B3F44’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the apple tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘133F44’ as grown in the orchard in Rillaar, Belgium, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includes observations, measurements and values based on 11 year old ‘B3F44’ trees grown in the orchard in Rillaar, Belgium from 2009 to 2010. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of trees of ‘B3F44’. The measurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), (4th edition, 2001), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 3:00 pm in Rillaar, Belgium.

All of the trees of ‘B3F44’, insofar as they have been observed, have been identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Malus domestica. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Malus variety designated ‘BRAEBURN’             (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Malus variety designated ‘GALA’             (unpatented). -   Propagation: Grafting to rootstocks. -   Growing conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.         -   Temperature.—During day, grown in range of 2° C. to 23° C.,             and during evening, grow in range of −5° C. to 13° C. (based             on average month temperature). -   Tree:     -   -   Age.—Observed trees were 11 years old.         -   Vigor.—Medium vigor.         -   Form.—Ramified — drooping.         -   Habit.—A normal-sized tree with one trunk and about             12.0+/−3.5 leaders; main branches drooping; crown             symmetrical.         -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 77.8+/−16.0° with             respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally.         -   Density.—About 2200 trees per hectare.         -   Cropping behavior.—Average beginning production; normal             productivity and regular flowering; no biennial bearing.         -   Type of bearing.—Long shoots and spurs.         -   Production.—About 14 kg/tree in 2010.         -   Size at maturity.—Height: 277+/−10 cm. Spread: 172+/−12 cm.         -   Trunk.—Height (up to leaders): 75 30 /−2 cm. Diameter:             5.7+/−0.4 cm. Texture: slightly rough. Bark color: Primarily             RHS greyed-green 197B, with underbark RHS greyed-orange             165B. Trunk lenticels: Length: 2.12+/−0.85 mm (in the             direction of the trunk). Width: 7.51+/−3.88 mm (diagonal to             the trunk direction). Color: RHS greyed-yellow 162B.             Density: 1.6+/−0.5 per cm2.         -   Branches.—Number per tree: 37.8+/−8.5. Length: Varies due to             shape of tree; maximum of 97.0+/−20.4 cm; minimum of             2.8+/−0.6 cm. Diameter (at 2 years): About 12.95+/−3.97 mm.             Surface texture: slightly rough. Pubescence: none. Color:             Mature (after about 3 years old): RHS greyed-orange 166A.             New Growth: RHS greyed-orange 175A. Internode length:             31.12+/−10.15 mm. Internode diameter: 7.17+/−2.08 mm. Branch             lenticels: Length: 1.10+/−0.39 mm (in the direction of the             branch). Width: 3.06+/−1.25 mm (diagonal to the branch             direction). Color: RHS white 155B. Density: 2.4+/−0.8 per             cm².         -   Spur.—Present: Yes, but few. Distance between each spur: On             the 2 and 3 year old branches, the distance is             42.3+/−22.9 mm. Diameter of each spur: 6.69+/−1.21 mm.             Number of fruit per spur: 1.3+/−0.4. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, petiolated.         -   Lamina.—Size: Length: 83.15+/−10.40 mm (fully expanded             leaf). Width: 47.19+/−7.82 mm (fully expanded leaf).             Length/width ratio: between 1.32 and 2.38. Overall Shape:             ovate, petiolated. Base shape: rounded (obtuse). Apex shape:             acute. Margin: bicrenate. Texture: Upper surface: smooth,             glabrous. Under surface: medium pubescence. Attitude in             relation to shoot: outwards. Color (mature leaves): Upper             surface: RHS green 137A. Under surface: RHS green 138B.             (immature leaves): Upper surface: RHS yellow-green 144A.             Under surface: RHS yellow-green 146D.         -   Venation.—Type: pinnate venation from central vein to the             leaf edge. Color: RHS yellow-green 144B.         -   Petiole.—Length: 30.17+/−3.76 mm. Diameter: 1.61+/−0.19 mm.             Texture: high pubescence. Color: RHS green 143A (upper), RHS             green 143C (lower), RHS red-purple 60C.         -   Stipule.—Arrangement: free standing. Length (distance of             stipules from basal attachment of petiole): 8.02+/−3.23 mm.             Width: 2.12+/−1.18 mm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming time.—Medium (similar to ‘Gala’ and ‘Braeburn’).         -   Blooming period.—About 1 week.         -   Fragrance.—Strong.         -   Type.—Corymb.         -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—5.0+/−1.1.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: 72.25+/−9.07 mm. Depth:             44.90+/−4.54 mm.         -   Buds.—Terminal Buds: Number per spur: about 1. Shape:             pointy, triangular. Length: 10.30+/−0.82 mm. Width:             4.91+/−0.51 mm. Texture: high pubescence. Color: Apex RHS             greyed-orange 166A, and base RHS greyed-red 178C. Scales:             Number: 7.0+/−1.5. Overall shape: triangular, double folded             around bud. Apex shape: three points (middle point is the             longest). Base shape: straight, fully grown together with             base. Color: Upper: RHS greyed-orange 166A. Lower: RHS             yellow-green N144D. Lateral Buds: Number per spur: about 0.             Shape: pointy, triangular. Length: 5.72+/−1.31 mm. Width:             3.29+/−0.43 mm. Texture: smooth, medium pubescence. Color:             Apex RHS greyed-orange 166A, and base RHS yellow-green             N144B. Scales: Number: 5.4+/−0.9. Overall shape: triangular,             double folded around bud. Apex shape: three points (middle             point is the longest). Base shape: straight, fully grown             together with base. Color: Upper: RHS greyed-orange 166A.             Lower: RHS yellow-green N144B.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: free (full bloom). Number per flower:             Five. Size: Length: 17.70+/−1.44 mm. Width: 10.42+/−1.37 mm.             Length/width ratio: from 1.38 to 2.11. Overall shape:             obovate. Apex shape: rounded. Base shape: acute. Texture             (upper surface): smooth. Texture (lower surface): smooth.             Margin: entire. Color (upper surface): from RHS red-purple             65D to RHS red-purple 69D. Color (lower surface): from RHS             red-purple 69D to RHS red-purple N57D.         -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five. Size: Length:             6.74+/−1.37 mm. Width: 3.27+/−0.48 mm. Length/width ratio:             from 1.43 to 2.90. Overall shape: triangular. Apex shape:             acute. Base shape: truncate. Texture (upper surface):             smooth, hairy. Texture (lower surface): smooth, very hairy.             Margin: entire. Color (upper surface): Apex RHS             greyed-orange 166A, and base RHS yellow-green 144B. Color             (lower surface): Apex RHS greyed-orange 166A and base RHS             yellow-green 144B.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 24.21+/−4.77 mm. Diameter: 1.13+/−0.14 mm.             Texture: smooth, slightly hairy (white hairs). Color: RHS             green 143B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Keeping quality.—It can be stored in cold temperature             conditions for minimum 10 months without loosing firmness             and juiciness. It has a shelf life of minimum 4 weeks             without loosing firmness and juiciness.         -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.         -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 23 weeks after full             bloom.         -   Date of first and last picking (harvest).—About first and             second week of October.         -   Type.—Pome.         -   General shape.—Conic.         -   Average weight.—189.8+/−33.5 g.         -   Fruit size.—Average height: 75.1+/−6.3 mm. Average diameter             (at widest point): 73.1+/−4.7 mm. Position of maximum             diameter: ⅓ of height, near stem end. Height/thickness             ratio: from 0.88 to 1.19.         -   Stem.—Length: 18.66+/−5.14 mm. Diameter: 2.85+/−0.61 mm.             Color: from RHS yellow-green 145C to RHS grey-brown N199B.         -   Stalk cavity.—Depth: 17.21+/−1.93 mm. Width: 35.12+/−2.84             mm.         -   Eye basin.—Depth: 6.33+/−2.38 mm. Width: 26.73+/−2.70 mm.             Crowning at calyx end: moderate. Position of sepals:             half-closed. Calyx tube: closed.         -   Skin.—Thickness: thin. Texture: slightly tough. Bloom:             absent. Greasiness: absent. Firmness (at picking time):             7.5+/−0.9 kg/cm2 (measured without removing the skin).             Overcolor Color: RHS red 45C. Percentage of skin surface             with overcolor color: About 50 to 75%. Pattern of overcolor:             solid flush with weakly to strongly defined stripes.             Intensity of overcolor: medium. Ground color: RHS             yellow-green 145C. Skin Lenticels: Length: 1.59+/−0.57 mm.             Width: 1.06+/−0.17 mm. Color: RHS greyed-orange 163C.             Density: 4.3+/−1.3 per cm2.         -   Flesh.—Color: RHS yellow-green 150D. Texture: very firm,             crisp and juicy. Aroma: strong. Eating quality: excellent.             Sugar content (at picking time): 13.9+/−0.5 Brix.             Acidity/starch (at picking time): 7.9+/−0.2 g/l malic acid.             Core: Symmetry of core: round. Distinctness of core lines:             weak. Locules: Number (per fruit): 5. Length:             10.69+/−1.94 mm. Width: 4.59+/−1.80 mm. Form: triangular to             teardrop form. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number per fruit.—8.1+/−1.6.         -   Number per locule.—1.7+/−0.5.         -   Shape.—Teardrop form.         -   Length.—9.45+/−0.67 mm.         -   Width.—5.08+/−0.36 mm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—From RHS greyed-orange 166A to RHS greyed-orange             166B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number per flower: 18.95+/−1.28. Length:             8.24+/−1.20 mm. Anther: Length: 2.10+/−0.32 mm. Color: RHS             yellow 4C. Filaments: Length: 7.47+/−0.61 mm. Color: RHS             white 155B. Pollen: Amount: moderate. Color: RHS yellow 4C.             Pollination Requirements: cross pollination.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Quantity: 5. Length: 10.51+/−0.96 mm.             Color: RHS yellow-green 144C. Stigmas: Length:             0.90+/−0.11 mm. Width: 0.54+/−0.08 mm. Color: RHS             yellow-green 144A. Ovary: Length: 3.61+/−0.7 mm. Width:             0.91+/−0.19 mm. Color: RHS yellow-green 144C. -   Use: Fresh market. -   Disease/pest resistance: No known resistance. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptible to scab (Venturia     inaequalis). -   Winter hardiness: Tolerant to temperatures down to minimum −10° C.     without observed damage to wood and buds of dormant Apple trees. -   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to minimum 40°     C., growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation. -   Shipping/storage characteristics: Low sensitivity to bruising; good     storability under ULO-conditions for minimum 12 months. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Malus domestica apple tree named ‘B3F44’, as illustrated and described herein. 